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The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced Friday in the Federal Register that they have drafted a task assignment for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), titled "Study on Inherently Safer Chemical Processes: The Use of Methyl Isocyanate at Bayer CropScience." The study will be held pursuant to the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010 [Pub. L. 111-88], directing the CSB to conduct "a study by the [NAS] to examine the use and storage of methyl isocyanate including the feasibility of implementing alternative chemicals or processes and an examination of the cost of alternatives at the Bayer CropScience facility in Institute, West Virginia." Friday's Federal Register notice outlines the scope of the study and establishes a 15-day public comment period.

Specifically, the CSB is interested in public comments regarding the following four topics:

Does the proposed Task Statement include the appropriate topics for consideration by the NAS?

If funds are available, should the CSB initiate a second, related study to consider the feasibility, costs, and benefits of inherently safer alternatives to other chemicals?

What kinds of backgrounds and expertise should be represented on the NAS panel?

Is the proposed timetable appropriate?

Comments are due no later than May 10, 2010, and should be submitted by email to NASComments@CSB.gov, referencing Docket Number CSB-10-01 in the subject line.

TOXIC TRAIN SAFETY - A First Responders Petition caused The Chlorine Institute to conduct a five-month study comparing the safety of secondary containment to the chlorine “C”-Kit for chlorine tank cars. The study proved secondary containment to be, by far, the safest technology for containing and preventing releases of chlorine gas. To see secondary containment - search “CHLORTANKER.”

WARNING: FIRST RESPONDERS’ use of THE CHLORINE INSTITUTE “C” KIT may cause the catastrophic failure of a chlorine tank car, instantly creating a toxic gas plume with a distance of not less than seven miles. The first mile will have chlorine concentrations of 1,000 ppm, causing death after one or two breaths with no opportunity for escape. To learn more, see PETITION C KIT, click on “First Responder Warnings.”